Indian-origin Singapore ex-minister S Iswaran pleads guilty in corruption case

S Iswaran, an Indian-origin former transport minister and previously part of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in Singapore has pleaded guilty to receivinggifts such as concert tickets and golf clubs valued at 403,000 Singapore dollars ($312,000), graft and obstructing justice.

After pleading guilty, the prosecutors reduced the charges against Iswaran from 35 to five, according to local media reports.The remaining 30 charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing.

According to the charge sheet filed earlier,Iswaran received tickets to English Premier League football matches, musicals, a flight on Ong's private plane and tickets to the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix as alleged bribes.

This is the first ministerial corruption trial in Singapore in nearly half a century - reflecting the gravity of the situation Iswaran finds himself in. The last case was in 1986 whenthe national development minister was investigated for allegedly accepting bribes. The minister died before he could be charged in court.

WATCH |Row over South Africa's Deputy President's lifestyle, Singapore Transport Minister under probe

Singapore's no-corruption image

Notably, the island country pays its top officials among the world's highest public salaries and prides itself on low corruption.

According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, the Southeast Asian country is ranked as the fifth-least corrupt country in the world. Hence, allegations of corruption are taken extremely seriously.

Iswaran was selected as an MPway back in 1997 and appointed to the cabinet in 2006. As the transport minister, his key focus area was to rebuild Singapore as an air hub in the aftermath of the pandemic and present the country as a maritime centre.

Iswaran also gained popularity for his role in bringing the Formula One night race to the country in 2008.

Prior to being involved in the legal troubles, Iswaran also served as Singapore’s minister-in-charge of trade relations.

He resigned from the party in January this year after Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong had asked him to go on leave.

“I reject the allegations in the charges and will now focus on clearing my name. Given the circumstances, I feel it is right for me to resign from Cabinet, as a Member of Parliament and as a member of the PAP,” Iswaran said in the resignation letter.

(With inputs from agencies)